Decision makers at Crystal Palace will feel extremely chuffed with their transfer business after winning 1-0 at arch-rivals Brighton on Sunday.
Palace, winless in 12, averted crisis, pulling nine points clear of the relegation zone and leapfrogging Brighton in the table.
Club-record signing Jørgen Strand Larsen, who joined from Wolves for £48million on Deadline Day, was chucked in from the start by Oliver Glasner. His arrival was supposed to spell the end of the Jean-Philippe Mateta era at Palace, as the Frenchman was off to AC Milan in a £30million deal.
Yet a knee injury he has been coping with – and played through – since the November international break caused his move to collapse at the eleventh hour, failing a medical to complete his dream move to Serie A.
For the Palace faithful, it was tough to take. Their affection for him had already evaporated, booing him during their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last month in what was expected to be his final appearance for Palace.
Mateta was not in the squad as Palace faced their rivals Brighton and Hove Albion and will have the same fate when Palace host Burnley on Wednesday.
Ismaila Sarr scored the only goal of the game to hand Palace victory over their bitter rivals
Sarr has scored 10 goals in all competitions for the Eagles this season
Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson joins in the celebrations too
He has not been banished, however. Mateta has consulted three specialists to gain greater clarity to determine the extent of the damage to his knee and will visit one more consultant on Monday, a German doctor, before deciding on how to proceed for the remainder of the season.
Glasner will happily welcome Mateta back into the first team squad, leaving them exceptional depth at centre-forward with Strand Larsen, Mateta and Eddie Nkeitah to choose from.
But Mateta may opt to have surgery, if it is deemed his injury cannot be managed until after the World Cup – leaving Strand Larsen as the clear starter.
Strand Larsen felt the adoration from the Palace support from the first minute, with the travelling fans chanting: ‘Strand Larsen woah, he’s Scandinavian, he hates Albion.’
Before Guessand was introduced, he was somewhat isolated in attack. That said, those around him will take a while to become accustomed to his strengths.
Lewis Dunk, often the flashpoint in this rivalry, misplaced a headed clearance for Guessand to capitalise on, coming onto the ball in midfield and slotting Ismaila Sarr through. Free between the centre-backs, he slotted with the side of his foot past Bart Verbruggen. Sarr scored twice at the AMEX last season; Brighton’s willingness to commit defenders forward plays straight into his hands.
Brighton offered little after falling behind. The crowd became deflated, with constant groans and regular chants questioning Fabian Hürzeler decisions.
Their one glimpse came three minutes after falling behind when a ball in behind struck Maxence Lacroix and slotted Charalampos Kostoulas through on goal. Dean Henderson, who had shtick from the Brighton fans throughout, made an unbelievable stop with his feet to deny the hosts a leveller.
Crystal Palace fans are escorted into the Amex by police ahead of kick-off
Brighton were booed off by the home support after a toothless display
Stand Larsen nearly had his moment in the fourth of six minutes added on when it fell for him inside the box, but Verbruggen spoiled his chance of a perfect debut, making a good stop to deny his drilled effort. Strand Larsen was bright, though it was evident why Palace had splashed the cash – his touches, link-up and hold-up play were strong.
There was a Palace debut for Evann Guessand, on loan from Aston Villa, from the bench.
He may not have made the best impression at Villa Park after joining the Champions League-chasing side in the summer transfer window, but he made a significant step to impressing his new paymasters, who will have to decide at the end of the season whether to trigger their option to buy.
For Brighton, it’s more misery. One win in 12 and the supporters completely turned, calling for Hürzeler’s head at full time.
